Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: The invention includes systems having a cover attached to a frame, and a transmission unit with a rotational device connected to or part of the frame. The cover is mechanically connected to the at least one rotational device. A vibration dampening unit mechanically connected to the transmission unit such that translational movement (e.g. vertical movements) of the cover causes rotational movement of the rotational device. The rotational movement is, in turn, transmitted to the vibration dampening unit via the transmission unit. Preferably, the vibration dampening unit is a passive unit and also a resistance force modulated vibration dampening unit.

Abstract: The invention includes systems having a cover attached to a frame, and a transmission unit with a rotational device connected to or part of the frame. The cover is mechanically connected to the at least one rotational device. A vibration dampening unit mechanically connected to the transmission unit such that translational movement (e.g. vertical movements) of the cover causes rotational movement of the rotational device. The rotational movement is, in turn, transmitted to the vibration dampening unit via the transmission unit. Preferably, the vibration dampening unit is a passive unit and also a resistance force modulated vibration dampening unit.

Abstract: An electrical smoking system comprising a cigarette and an electric lighter, wherein the cigarette comprises a tubular tobacco mat partially filled with material tobacco so as to define a filled tobacco rod portion and an unfilled tobacco rod portion. The cigarette and the lighter are mutually arranged so that when the cigarette is received in the lighter, the electrical heater element of the lighter at least partially superposes at least a portion of the filled tobacco rod portion. The cigarette and the lighter are also mutually arranged so that when the cigarette is received in the lighter, the free end of the cigarette is occluded. The cigarette includes a zone of perforations at a location along the filled tobacco rod portion, with the cigarette being free of perforations along the unfilled tobacco rod portion. An apparatus for perforating a cigarette which can be smoked in an electrical smoking device includes a drum link-up assembly and a laser perforating apparatus.

Abstract: A cigarette inspection device includes four sensors, two for sensing the ends and one for sensing the middle portion of a cigarette to detect loose tobacco and filter presence at the ends, and the presence of a foil band at the middle portion. The fourth sensor provides machine timing information to determine the three conditions of detection. Binary information is then input to a PLC for data reduction and rejection, if the conditions are not present. The program in the PLC allows the end of the cigarette to be scanned multiple times for loose tobacco. Also, foil sensing and filter sensing are done along with the loose tobacco sensing. A shift register is loaded with the resultant detection data, and a reject valve or similar device is operated to remove faulty cigarettes from the product stream.

Abstract: An electrical smoking system comprising a cigarette and an electric lighter, wherein the cigarette comprises a tubular tobacco mat partially filled with material tobacco so as to define a filled tobacco rod portion and an unfilled tobacco rod portion. The cigarette and the lighter are mutually arranged so that when the cigarette is received in the lighter, the electrical heater element of the lighter at least partially superposes at least a portion of the filled tobacco rod portion. The cigarette and the lighter are also mutually arranged so that when the cigarette is received in the lighter, the free end of the cigarette is occluded. The cigarette includes a zone of perforations at a location along the filled tobacco rod portion, with the cigarette being free of perforations along the unfilled tobacco rod portion. An apparatus for perforating a cigarette which can be smoked in an electrical smoking device includes a drum link-up assembly and a laser perforating apparatus.

Abstract: A cigarette identifier system comprising an infrared emitter and an infrared detector located across an opening of a cigarette receiver, wherein the sensor registers changes in the transmission of the infrared beam across the opening so as to detect the differences in transmissivity of dense and less dense and portions of an inserted cigarette.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cigarettes including the steps of establishing a succession of 2-up hollow plugs in alternating relation to 2-up tobacco plugs and wrapping same in a tobacco web and overwrap, severing the resultant continuous rod at mid points of preselected 2-up tobacco plugs and severing again to establish associated pairs of singular tobacco rod plugs, separating the members of associated pairs of tobacco rod plugs and placing 2-up filter tipping plugs therebetween, and subsequently wrapping the interposed 2-up filter tipping plug together with adjacent portions of the singular tobacco rod plugs and severing the resultant tipped structure into individual cigarettes. Also provided are cigarettes constructed in accordance with the novel method.

Abstract: A belt-slitting machine (10) comprising a frame (12), a work table (16), a first carriage (18) for supporting a supply roll (30) of belt material (51) and a second carriage (20) for supporting takeup rolls (32) of slit belt material (54). Motors/gearboxes (40, 42) turn spindles (28) in order to unwind the supply roll (30) of belt material and to roll up the slit webs of belt material into rolls (32). Coupler assemblies (102,104) are provided between cylinders (40, 42) and spindles (28). Coupler assemblies (102, 104) provide positive torque between cylinders (40, 42) and spindles (28) as spindles (28) deflect due to the weight of the belt material and cause the ends of the spindle to angularly deflect about the rotation axis of the spindle and to rise vertically a small distance due to the deflection. An outfeed belt divider apparatus (108, 112, 114) is provided for keeping the slit rolls of belt material separated as the belt material winds around into rolls (32).

Abstract: An improved hydroelectric system provides automatic adjustment for both tidal (reversing) and river (one way) type flow. A plurality of parallel, axial flow auger-type impellors are mounted in a horizontal plane on a floating, inverted-dry-dock type vessel that has an upper deck mounting hydroelectric generators. The vessel has no bottom beneath the impellors but has parallel with them on each side a tank for buoyancy and level and flow control. Over and under the impellors are pivoting deflectors that direct flow onto the impellors and automatically reverse and rest against appropriate bumper stops when the flow reverses, from one open end to the other open end of the vessel.

Abstract: A microcomputer for installation in one vehicle for computing and displaying the average speed of another vehicle in which display and data input are actuated simultaneously to minimize peripheral connections and in which provision is made for measureent of speed in real time.

Abstract: A device for enabling the stripping of a selected portion of the insulation from an electrical lead on a rapid basis without damage to the conductor portion of the lead, involving the use of a rotatable optical unit. Our novel optical unit is equipped with an aperture at each end, with a first of these apertures being configured to selectively receive a variety of types of electrical leads whose ends are to be stripped of insulation for a certain length, and the second aperture being arranged to receive output energy from an adjacently located laser operating at a wavelength and power level such as will cause ablation of insulation at the specified location on the electrical lead. These apertures are located on the axis of rotation of the optical unit, and optical components are utilized in the unit such as will direct and focus a laser beam at essentially right angles to a nonrotating lead inserted through the first aperture.